Author: wordhabit

The following posts are all dedicated to the students I’ve worked with through the years, from Lacombe, Alberta, to Knoxville, Tennessee and every other place in between. #1: spare an angel #2: eye of the tiger #3: if i could #4: doubting thomas #5: fix you job description: part 1

I used to think I had to save you. It was the standard setup. You came to me with your stuff and I, the “all-knowing,” would listen and advise. It’s the stuff of movies and ministry fairytales. But you were already aware enough to know the answers and to tell me when my answers were…

I used to think I had to save you. And then we had an unexpected meeting. The hug, the joy that ensued reminded me that we’re on equal footing. Yes, we occupy different roles and yes, our responsibilities to each other differ. Yet we walk together. If only I’d experienced more joy with you. We…

I used to think I had to save you. I made absolutely zero progress. I quit early on you. Wish I could remember how freeing that is each time I get back to this unhealthy space. But with you things were different. I’d already grown up a lot by the time you came along. By…

I used to think I had to save you. So when you walked into my office and invited me out for a late night coffee shop run, I became unsure of my place. I never knew exactly how to respond to your maturity and to your love. You had a much stronger hold on your…

I used to think I had to save you. Perhaps that began the morning your basketball coaches knocked on our classroom door, asking to speak with me. Was this normal? I didn’t know quite how to respond. They were tall, the senior of which wore a dark velour sweatsuit. That afternoon I asked Tom for…